adjective HSK 4
hard · stiff · tough · firm
Meaning
硬 describes physical hardness or firmness, like a hard surface or stiff material. It can also describe something being inflexible, stubborn, or forceful in manner. The character combines 石 (stone) and 更 (more/further), suggesting something as solid as stone.
Usage
Commonly used to describe physical textures (hard bed, stiff bread) and metaphorically for attitudes (硬气 means 'tough/unyielding'). Often contrasted with 软 (soft). Can also mean 'forcefully' when used as an adverb, or 'insist on doing something against resistance'.
Examples
- 01这个床太硬了，我睡不着。, .This bed is too hard; I can't fall asleep.
- 02他硬要去，我们拦不住他。, .He insists on going; we can't stop him.
Common collocations
- 硬件hardware
- 硬盘hard disk
- 硬座hard seat (on train)
- 硬要to insist on
Antonyms
Origin
The character combines 石 (shí, stone) as the semantic component and 更 (gèng, more/further) as the phonetic component, suggesting something with the hardness of stone.